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Home / Equine Research Bank / Parasitol Res / Infestation of Werneckiella equi on Icelandic horses, charac...
Parasitology research2005; 96(6); 398-401; doi: 10.1007/s00436-005-1380-0

Infestation of Werneckiella equi on Icelandic horses, characteristics of predilection sites and lice dermatitis.

Abstract: Lice infestations on horses caused by the lice Werneckiella (Damalinia) equi and Haematopinus equi are observed worldwide. In this study, the distribution and clinical manifestations of lice on Icelandic horses were examined. Thirty-eight out of 93 animals (40.86%) were identified as infested with W. equi. Sixty-eight animals (73.12%) presented dermatological lesions associated with lice infestation, while only 32 of these animals presented lice. Six animals had no clinical signs although of being lice-positive, and 19 animals (20.43%) showed neither lice nor clinical manifestations. Lice burdens varied from animal to animal, and clinical manifestations occurred at all levels of infestation. Focal alopecia was the main clinical sign (83.78%) on lice-positive horses, while scaling and crusts occurred in 10.81% and 9.68% of the cases, respectively. Clinical signs present in the head and the neck/mane area were found to be an indication of lice infestation in horses.
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Publication Date: 2005-06-07 PubMed ID: 15940519DOI: 10.1007/s00436-005-1380-0Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article discusses the prevalence of a certain type of lice found on Icelandic horses and the medical symptoms associated with lice infestation. Furthermore, it indicates that the presence of clinical signs, specifically alopecia, scaling, and crusts, in the horses’ head and neck/mane areas, can be indicative of lice infestation.

Introduction to the Study

  • The study focuses on lice infestations on Icelandic horses caused by two types of lice: Werneckiella (Damalinia) equi and Haematopinus equi.
  • It appears to aim to understand the distribution, clinical manifestations, and, more specifically, the predictive symptoms of lice infestations on these horses.
  • The research was conducted on a sample of 93 Icelandic horses.

Findings of the Study

  • The study found that pproximately 40.86% (38 out of 93) of the horses were infested with W. equi lice.
  • Dermatological lesions associated with lice infestation were found on 73.12% (68 out of 93) of the horses, except that all these horses were not necessarily infested with lice, depicting lice infestation isn’t always necessary for the manifestation of dermatological lesions.
  • Despite being infested, six horses exhibited no clinical signs of infestation at all.
  • Approximately 20.43% (19 out of 93) of the horses did not have any lice or clinical symptoms associated with lice infestation.

Symptoms and Severity of the Lice Infestation

  • The presence of lice and the associated symptoms varied from one horse to another, and symptoms were apparent irrespective of the severity of the lice infestation.
  • The main symptom found on lice-infested horses was focal alopecia (hair loss in certain areas), which was present in 83.78% of the cases. Other symptoms included scaling and crusts, found in 10.81% and 9.68% of the cases, respectively.
  • Clinical signs in the head and the neck/mane area specifically were found to be an indication of lice infestation in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Larsen KS, Eydal M, Mencke N, Sigurdsson H. (2005). Infestation of Werneckiella equi on Icelandic horses, characteristics of predilection sites and lice dermatitis. Parasitol Res, 96(6), 398-401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-005-1380-0

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 0932-0113
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 96
Issue: 6
Pages: 398-401

Researcher Affiliations

Larsen, K S
  • KSL Consulting, 3200, Helsinge, Denmark.
Eydal, M
    Mencke, N
      Sigurdsson, H

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Anoplura
        • Dermatitis / parasitology
        • Dermatitis / pathology
        • Dermatitis / veterinary
        • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
        • Horse Diseases / parasitology
        • Horse Diseases / pathology
        • Horses / parasitology
        • Iceland / epidemiology
        • Lice Infestations / epidemiology
        • Lice Infestations / pathology
        • Lice Infestations / veterinary
        • Parasitic Diseases, Animal / complications
        • Parasitic Diseases, Animal / epidemiology
        • Parasitic Diseases, Animal / pathology
        • Phthiraptera

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        Citations

        This article has been cited 8 times.
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        3. Tafese A, Jibat T, Aklilu N, Zewdu H, Kumsa B. Lice infesting horses in three agroecological zones in central Oromia. J Parasit Dis 2014 Dec;38(4):352-7.
          doi: 10.1007/s12639-013-0235-3pubmed: 25320481google scholar: lookup
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        8. Mencke N, Larsen KS, Eydal M, Sigurethsson H. Dermatological and parasitological evaluation of infestations with chewing lice (Werneckiella equi) on horses and treatment using imidacloprid. Parasitol Res 2005 Aug;97(1):7-12.
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